Morgan 2: Harold Morgan

(There was one last letter in the collection, shown below.)

Whew! Harold used a new type of paper and new pen for that last letter, and it must have affected his writing, since that was almost one long run-on sentence. Or at least one run-on paragraph.

It feels rather funny to finally have the letters all typed up twenty years after Helen first gave me a copy. Thank you for reading them through with me.

Here is a picture of the two lovebirds a number of years after their letter-writing days.

Tomorrow I will start posting Harold's life story, then that of his "own dearest Jessie."

After Harold and Jessie, I will post about his father John Morgan followed by his mother Mary Ann Linton Morgan Udall and on through Granny's other ancestors.

I'm going to split up the biographies into normal blog-sized posts rather than posting everything in one fell swoop, so they're not so intimidating to read.

We all already know that Harold had a little problem with spelling. In his autobiography, I will correct most of his spelling and historical facts. I am also removing references to people who may be still alive. Harold typed this autobiography and it was retyped by my dad, Harold’s grandson. Some of the bracketed notes are my dad's. Some are mine. Please contact me for a copy of the original if you would like one.


PS Just in case you were wondering, Jess did not marry Mona.

Jesse Addison Udall was born on 24 June 1892 near Eagar, Apache, Arizona, to David King and Ida Hunt Udall. He married Lela Lee in June 1917 in Salt Lake City. He graduated from the University of Arizona Law School in 1924 and had an active legal and political career. He served as the Chief Justice of the Arizona Supreme Court. He was the grandfather of former Oregon Senator Gordon Smith. (The link has some very nice pictures.)

Mona Marguerite Patterson was born on 22 Jan 1897 in St. Johns, Arizona, to Joseph B. and Margaret Richey Patterson. She married Terrence Carroll Heaton of Orderville, Utah, in 1919 or 1920 and, as far as I can tell, she lived and died in Kanab or Orderville.

(Photo of the Petrified Forest from flickr.com/photos/vtveen/2745713071/ with restrictions including no commercial use.)

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, July 18, 1913

Hunt Ariz

July 18 1913

My Own Dearest Jessie: — What an address but that is just the way I feel this Afternoon. I have been thinking and dreaming of you soley [sic] for the last three hours. But am just as far from the solution of the problem of just how much I love you as I was at the start but it is oh so much, sometimes more than I think you realize little Sweetheart, and what a happy thought to have the confidence that from you that love is returned. I have just read the little piece I enclose and thought how true. It is impossible for me to imagine a world without you. Every empty space I find in this beautiful delightful hideous, struggling pleasuring loving affectionate, and tender hearted world of life is filled by you. It’s the truth dear that I had the unlimited nerve to expect a letter from you last night so much so that I looked the mail over myself but all to no avail. Yet I’ll forgive as I’m forgiven and read that one that comes tonight an extra time. Just see how much faith I have in you. And how much egotism your little boy displays. But the way things go it almost makes one wonder if that is not about a third of what life is made of anyway if it is not it is a fact that is goes a long way towards helping one see their way clear especially on a rainy day like today. It has been raining here the last two hours but looks now as though it would clear up. My don’t things look fresh and sweet just after a hard rain. It almost makes me think that is what a great many of us need a right good rain storm to hit us. But while its doing the job I wish it would drown about a billion of these flies that are bothering me just at the present moment, to say nothing of the mosquitoes that are every where. Well dear I’ve got about eight streams of water to turn yet tonight so will say goodbye hoping to hear from you tonight with worlds of love I am still yours Harold.


(Photo of goldeneye from flickr.com/photos/johnida/1290454915/ with no commercal uses)

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, July 8, 1913

Hunt Ariz.
July 8 1913

Dearest Jessie: — Tonight I am using the scraps of paper, just finishing up my fifth or sixth box of stationary [sic]. What an expensive luxury you are anyway. But my only wish is that I could spend more time with that “luxury.”

Yet all my thoughts are with you if my presence is not.

Last night I had such a sweet dream of you and oh how hard I tried not to wake up. Have been humming that tune, “Oh, Mr. Dream Man” all day. I wonder if he will. But suppose there is no such luck, yet a dream is such a poor excuse after all. I think I will come up and partake a little of the reality in the next few days. It’s either quit the job or see you, with me.

Gee but Im [sic] lonesome

Tonight we’ve got an automobile party with us tonight. Suppose they were afraid of the dark. It surley [sic] is dark tonight. Wish I were there to take you up to the (White School House) Would you go? Remember the night we went up there about twelve oclock [sic] with Mona & Jess, old Jess is surley [sic] lonesome wants to go to Los A. to school next winter.

Say did you know they were not going to have fourth year in St. Johns. To [sic] bad dear. But perhaps there will be a better chance for you later. Say but I would surley [sic] hate to see you go away. Don’t believe I could do without you even for a year. Then to [sic] there is quite a chance to run. But I believe you would love me just the same, would’nt [sic] you dearest. I know I would you.

Tonight there ought to have been a letter for me if Babe had come.

Should’nt [sic] there?

[Missing something...] of all the automobiles.

Here it is eleven oclock and there have been three pass with the last half hour excuse me from traveling such a night as this unless you were along. Then I would be willing to go anyplace at anytime. But as it is I live in hopes. Well goodnight dear will write again in a day or so have hopes of improving
lovingly Harold


Western spiderwort from flickr.com/photos/johnida/1290509103/ with restrictions including no commercial use.

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, July 2, 1913

Hunt Ariz

July 2 1913

My Dearest:— Tonight I am trying to forget you for little while. To make myself believe that I am not in love with the sweetest dearest little girl in the world. (But how impossible.) For I’m afraid you will be just a little dissappointed [sic] when I tell you that it is impossible for me to be with you on the 4th. I have just been talking with mother. She is going to Snowflake in the morning but said she would not go if I went to St Johns. There are so many things to look after that she felt that either she or I must stay. Then to [sic] Uncle David will be here with nobody to look after him if all the folks leave and I should go to [sic]. There will be meals to get and chores to do besides all the work in the day. Then to [sic] it is just now that I ought to stay with the irrigating, because everything is so dry. And it means so much if we should let it go, and if I came it could be only for part of the day as I would have to be here for the next morning. So you see how it all is. But you don’t know how I hate it. It seems I hav’ent [sic] seen you for ages. And oh, dear, I get so lonesome. You will forgive me if I don’t come won’t you and think of me just as much for perhaps next week I will come up and stay two or three days.

Gee, it will be lonesome.

Jess is going to take the mail to Holbrook rather a dry time for him to. But thanks to the good man there are more days a coming. But I wish to the devil John Handcock [sic] and Tom Jefferson had’nt [sic] written the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of July but had waited a week or two. Now that would have been more accomadating [sic] would’nt [sic] it. But as they were so anxious I suppose I will let it go as it is.

You must have a good time and forget that I have been so neglectful of you for one can’t help but feel that is what it is yet it can’t be helped this time. Now dearest you must write me a long letter telling me just what you think of me and what you are going to do (forgive and forget I hope) That reminds me I was just a little dissappointed [sic] my self tonight (reason unknown) But I almost feel like asking you to write every day, at least for the next two or three days.

But I am going to have them send me down some fire crackers the five cent kind, (you know) I wish I had thought and had you do it. And believe me I will just raise old H— himself. But anyway you will think of me won’t you dearest. And wish I were with you my heart will be if I’m not. Well it is just 12 P.M., so good night sweetheart. forgive just this once

yours lovingly
Harold


Photo of skyrocket or scarlet gillia from flickr.com/photos/johnida/1291307342/ with restrictions including no commercial use.

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, June 12, 1913

Hunt Ariz

June 12 1913

Dearest Jessie: — I am on the verge of wondering where that letter is. But perhaps I can’t blame you, for I just heard that the letter I wrote to you Tuesday went to Holbrook and is here at the office tonight. What do you think of me anyway. But really it was not my fault. And to cap it all there was special delivery stamp on it. Jes and Levi tended the mail that night so don’t know what else they did. But you will forgive won’t you. Yet you surley [sic] ought to have know [sic] something was the matter and written anyway don’t you think so. Well I hope to be with you Saturday night or Sun morning then we will straighten things out. That is if you will let me but you are not angry or [sic] you, and I am just as sorry as can be. But I hope we will both forget it and think we will not let a few days delay of a letter spoil our happiness for that is what it is to me. I count so much on the future. And just to think you are twenty years old tomorrow. How do you feel. Have you lived the best twenty years of your life. Has there ever a picture come into your mind of the next twenty. Shall I ask you the question like you did me “Where do you think you will be in twenty years from now” and would your answer be like mine.

I am so disappointed dear there should have been a book here for you tonight but suppose it will come in the next day or two. I am surley [sic] glad you can’t see me tonight. So many things have gone wrong today. It almost makes me feel like “well whats [sic] the use”

Rather unmanly, but I don’t care you are the only one that ever did understand.

Anyway. Would just like to see you long enough to tell you all about it. But I hope I don’t see you till I feel better.

Just one more night why I can hardly realize it. Gee we’ll have a jolly time. Aunt Emma Udall is here tonight and tell us Joyce and Gay are going. Won’t we have a bunch though. And so you are making some resolutions are you what are they anyway tell me so I can tell whether I can live up to them or not. You must remember not to be to [sic] strict for I havent [sic] seen you for a long time. And besides I was’nt [sic] raised by resolutions. But still I promised to be good at any cost.

As I write this I can smell the roses that you sent me. And will say as I said before that was the dearest thing you ever did for me and I don’t think you half realize how I appreciated it. Well Jessie it is getting late.

I wonder if you will be so good as to write before I go. Remember I love you just as much now as the night down in the field.

Well good night
Worlds of love
Harold

(Photo of rosa rugosa from flickr.com/photos/bristolsue/2935168639/ with non commercial use and other restrictions)

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, June 10, 1913

Hunt Ariz.

June 10 1913

Dearest Jessie: — Another windy day has’nt [sic] this been a dandy though I am wondering if it is ever going to come summer. It is to be hoped it don’t blow this day next week. And I have all the faith in the world it won’t. I don’t think my faith is like the fellow who said Faith, is making yourself believe something that you know is’nt [sic] true.

Say they wer’ent [sic] disappointed in not getting to start Saturday were they. But really it was just impossible for me so much watering it is now ten oclock but am going out to the field yet tonight. So don’t have much time to lay around. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. Honestly I just love to work out in the open am getting to like it more every day. But I think I have the secret to the most of it it’s because I’m so happy everything looks bright and cheerful. It looks all summer to me. Especially when I got your letter with the roses in. That was surly [sic] dear of you. You can’t imagine how I felt. I believe there was a large lump in my throat and I am sure there were some tears. I was almost glad you were not there to see me, yet you would have understood would’nt [sic] you dear. Roses never looked so pretty and smelled so sweet though they were somewhat wilted.

But I am going to keep them. For roses bring dreams love of you and oh such sweet memories. Every flower I see looks like a rose to me since Sunday night last Sunday I mean and the Sunday before to [sic]. It almost seems like a dream to me, but we will make it a reality won’t we dear, I don’t believe you half know how I appreciate and love you. How many times have you heard me say that. But you like to hear don’t you.

And so Brink is stepping to Pearl. Suppose he will take her on the mts with him
Say I am sorry you did’nt [sic] get that auto ride but did’nt [sic] you egsaggerate [sic] just a little when you said you would a thousand times whether write to me. And Gibbons was with Joe that makes me sore. Perhaps you know what I would do if I was Bill. Yet you can’t always sometimes tell. So Joe Richey gave you some candy. Its [sic] a good thing someone takes pity on you dear for its [sic] a mighty precious little you ever get from me, but candy like some other things is rather out of my line.

You ask if Udall was lonesome well I guess yet I don’t know what he will do when Mona goes to Cal. She is just about to make him believe she is about gone. Why don’t they let Mona stay till the end of the month. I can’t see what their rush is with her anyway.

Well dearest it just eleven oclock [sic] so had better bring this to a focus

Write soon

Yours with love
Harold.


(Photo of Springerville area from flickr.com/photos/johnida/1290587879/ with restrictions on use.)

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, June 8, 1913

Hunt Ariz

June 8 1913

Dearest Jessie: I have been making out telephone reports until about half an hour ago for I thought if I wrote to you I have to rest my mind. Gee but there is a lot of red tape about that outfit especially so for what little money there is in it. But thank goodness its [sic] all done now. And I’ve got some thing better to do.

This has been a busy day for me I don’t hardly know its [sic] Sunday.

Am in work up to my eyes but just think only another week of it. I just talked to Lyman over the Phone and told him it would just about be impossible for us to leave here before Sunday. You see the understanding we had when we left was that they would start Monday so we made plans to that effect. And if we should start Sat I don’t know what the result would be. You see I am here alone now Lin expects to be back Sunday night. (Hope this won’t disappoint you) and I don’t care about the rest. I want to go on that trip without a care or a worry and spend just about four thirds of my time with you. That’s not being selfish is it when I love you so much.

I sincerely hope we don’t change our plans any but only make them a little more practical more definite and more elaborate.

But lets [sic] see we were’ent [sic] to write about that were we.

Talk will be in the ten cent class won’t it when we get together. I wish I could see you tonight: but believe me I’ll be thinking of you.

And so uncle Bill had a yarn did he. Lin told me all about it. There’s one consolation about it no body will believe him if he does tell it. He’s a great uncle Bill. How is Lail now Jes says never again for him and I say ditto. Udall surley [sic] hates it because Mona is going Gee I’m glad it’s her and not you. Honestly I don’t know what I’d do.

But here I am crowding the (The Subject) again.

Say I’ve been reading (Rex Beaches [sic]) latest. (The Iron Trail) surley [sic] some story. You see I am not worked so hard but what I have time to read. Say Jessie we want to scare up a book or two to take with us on our trip I sincerely hope you will leave Dickens, Thackery [sic] (and who else come in their class) Mary J. Holms [sic] and Agusta [sic] Evans I believe) on the shelf. I saw the prettiest little poem today if I can find it will keep it for you to read. And now at last I am just about to wonder how you’ve spent the day and what you are thinking about, hope you were a good girl and went to all the meetings. For as I’ve told you before perhaps you will have to do just a little religion for me, but I promise to do my share when I get a chance. (Will try and write these lines so close that you can’t read between them.)

Well dear it is just about time to go to the field to turn the water so good bye write soon

Yours with love
Harold.


(Photo of penstemon from flickr.com/photos/johnida/1290475545/ with restrictions.)

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, June 4, 1913

Hunt Ariz.

June 4 1913

Dearest Jessie: Tonight I expected a letter, but in vain, really dear don’t you think you ought to have written perhaps your intentions were good but I will forgive, (getting better don’t you think) but I ought to be good don’t you think for you have been so good to me. I think of what we said to each other last Sunday night almost every few minutes. My only wish is that I was there to say it all over again and hear you say “I think I could.” The more I think of it the happier I feel and the brighter things look just to think that you are mine not wholly yet tis true but a year soon passes don’t it sweetheart yet how unworthy I feel, but I will try and be so good so that you will not feel to regret it one instant. I was so captivated that night that I could hardly talk but since thinking it over I have got so many things to tell you and to ask about. Am afraid I will not be up next Sunday Lin left yesterday morning for Utah so I am alone with our outfit, watering night and day but it seems the more I work the better I feel, you can’t imagine how happy I am why it seems like I never do get tired. I wonder if I am just a little love sick.

I was surley [sic] taken back the other day. Lawrence Macray was asked how old he thought I was “oh about ninteen [sic]” he said what do you know about that, honestly I thought I was just about a man but am beginning to feel like a real small boy but I use to be a little egotistical did’nt [sic] I ha.ha. But the responsibility Ive [sic] had this summer has surley [sic] opened my eyes. Don’t believe I’d take five hundred dollars for my experience this summer of course thats [sic] not to be mentioned somebody might pin one down

But here I am talking so much about my self. How have you been getting along but more so how have you felt. You hav’ent [sic] worried have you dear. I hope that you will feel to trust in me for I understand so much better. Understanding (reminds) me but I’ll not tell it here what a lot we’ll have to talk about just a week and a half more can hardly wait. Well it is just 12:30 PM. so perhaps had better close write to me often take good care of yourself and ever remember your loving Harold.


(Harold turned 21 on June 2, 1913. Jessie turned 20 on June 13.)


(Photo of collared lizard at Petrified National Forest from flickr.com/photos/vtveen/2650815046/ with some restrictions.)

Morgan 2: Envelopes

Thanks to my dad for scans of the letters and envelopes.

Morgan 2: Harold Morgan, May 26, 1913

Hunt Ariz

May 26 1913

Dearest: I am almost at a loss to know where to address you but will suppose you are in St. Johns by now, no doubt you have heard before now that I was there yesterday no need of me saying how I wish you had been there for you ought to know. Really dear I never came so near, shedding a few in my life.

I suppose that there was a pretty lonesome look on my face for everyone I would pass would give me a sympathizing smile and look as much as to say “Im [sic] sorry” why I would have given a thousand if you had been there, things never looked so lonesome in the last two years. Perhaps will be up again, soon, will tell you in time so you won’t go If Mona hadn’t been there I would certainly have been lost. She is surley [sic] some girl, We had quite a chat but if it had only been you, I got your card as we came thru Concho was glad to hear you were having such a good time. How are all my friends anyway I supposed you mentioned me of course. Oh there is such a racket I can hardly write and you know my powers of concentration are’nt [sic] very good

As I must go I suppose this will have to be short but write soon little girl for I am so lonesome and disappointed and you know how much I love you It will not be long till we go on the mt. I can hardly wait. Is Joyce and Wolf going there is going to be a dandy crowd I hope Mona does not go before we go

It is just about to [sic] dark to see so will quit will write again in the next few days with worlds of love Harold.